Damiana: History, Uses and What the Research Says (2026 Guide)
Damiana is a small, fragrant herb with one of the most colourful reputations in herbal tradition. It’s been sipped as a tea, poured as a liqueur and smoked, mostly for its reputation as a mood lifter and aphrodisiac. But how much of that reputation stands up to science? This guide looks at damiana’s history, what’s been studied, and where the evidence simply runs out.
What is damiana?
Damiana is Turnera diffusa, a low shrub with small, toothed, aromatic leaves and yellow flowers. It’s native to Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean, where it grows in dry, rocky areas. The leaves have a warm, slightly spicy smell often compared to chamomile or figs.
A long, colourful history
Indigenous peoples of Mexico used damiana long before European contact, including as a tea and a general tonic. Spanish missionaries recorded its use, and by the late 1800s it was being exported to the United States and Europe and appeared in pharmacy references.
Its most famous modern form is damiana liqueur from Baja California, sold in a bottle shaped like a female figure, and said by some to be part of the original margarita recipe. That story is popular, but it’s hard to verify.
What’s in it?
Damiana leaves contain a mix of plant compounds, including:
- Flavonoids, such as apigenin-related compounds, which are studied for antioxidant and calming effects.
- Essential oils, which give the herb its aroma.
- Arbutin, a compound also found in bearberry.
- Cyanogenic glycosides in small amounts.
A detailed 2014 review of the Turnera genus described dozens of compounds in damiana, but noted that very few had been studied for their effects in people (Szewczyk and Zidorn, 2014).
The aphrodisiac question
This is damiana’s claim to fame, and here the honest answer is that the evidence is almost entirely from animals.
Mexican researchers found that damiana extracts restored sexual behaviour in “sexually exhausted” male rats (Estrada-Reyes et al., 2009), and later suggested the effect might involve nitric oxide, the same pathway targeted by some erectile dysfunction medicines (Estrada-Reyes et al., 2013). Earlier rat studies reported similar results (Arletti et al., 1999).
Interesting as these are, rat studies don’t tell us what happens in people. We’re not aware of any good-quality randomised controlled trials testing damiana on its own for sexual function in humans. A few trials have tested multi-ingredient blends that included damiana, but with several herbs and nutrients in the mix, it’s impossible to say what damiana contributed.
Put plainly: damiana’s aphrodisiac reputation is traditional, and the science hasn’t yet tested it properly in people.
Mood and anxiety
Damiana is also traditionally used as a mild relaxant and mood lifter. A 2022 review of plants with anti-anxiety properties included damiana, based mainly on animal studies (Khan et al., 2022). A 2023 review of the Turnera genus summarised a decade of lab research on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other effects, but again found human evidence lacking (Parra-Naranjo et al., 2023).
Why so little research?
Damiana isn’t a high-profile herb for big research funders, and it’s hard to patent. There’s also the problem of identity: several related Turnera species are sold as “damiana”, and products can vary. This makes it harder to run and compare studies.
How it’s traditionally used
Dried damiana leaf is usually brewed as a tea: about a teaspoon in a cup of hot water, steeped for 10–15 minutes. It has a slightly bitter, herbal, aromatic flavour, and is often blended with other herbs such as peppermint, rose or hibiscus, or sweetened with a little honey.
Who should take care?
We’re not aware of a current TGA safety advisory specific to Turnera diffusa. Because it’s been studied so little in people, its safety profile isn’t well established. Take care if:
- You’re pregnant or breastfeeding: avoid, due to a lack of safety data.
- You have diabetes: animal studies suggest damiana may lower blood sugar, which could add to the effect of diabetes medicines.
- You take sedatives or anti-anxiety medicines: possible additive effects.
- You have liver or kidney conditions: get advice first, especially with concentrated extracts.
- You’re having surgery: stop herbal products beforehand and tell your doctor.
- You have ongoing sexual health concerns: these can be a sign of other health issues, such as heart disease, diabetes or hormone problems, so it’s worth seeing your GP.
Large doses have been anecdotally linked to restlessness and insomnia in some people.
The bottom line
Damiana has a rich cultural history and a pleasant aroma, and lab and animal research gives some hints about why it gained its reputation. But there are no good human trials of damiana on its own, so claims about libido, mood or energy remain unproven. Enjoy it as a traditional herbal tea, and talk to your GP about any health concerns.
This article is general information only and is not medical advice. It is not about any specific product. Talk to your GP or pharmacist about your own health. Safety information is current as at 24 October 2026; always check the TGA website for the latest advice.
References
- Szewczyk K, Zidorn C. Ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and bioactivity of the genus Turnera (Passifloraceae) with a focus on damiana: Turnera diffusa. J Ethnopharmacol. 2014. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24468305/
- Estrada-Reyes R, et al. Turnera diffusa Wild (Turneraceae) recovers sexual behavior in sexually exhausted males. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19501274/
- Estrada-Reyes R, et al. Pro-sexual effects of Turnera diffusa Wild (Turneraceae) in male rats involves the nitric oxide pathway. J Ethnopharmacol. 2013. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23298455/
- Arletti R, et al. Stimulating property of Turnera diffusa and Pfaffia paniculata extracts on the sexual behavior of male rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1999. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10227074/
- Khan A, et al. Anti-anxiety properties of selected medicinal plants. Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33480339/
- Parra-Naranjo A, et al. Bioactivity of the genus Turnera: a review of the last 10 years. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38004438/
